Coalition points to stealth bombers as potential AUKUS stop-gap

Coalition points to next-generation stealth bombers as potential AUKUS stopgapBy acting defence and national security correspondent Tom LowreyTopic:Federal Government2h ago2 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 2:50amThe US has been testing the B-21 aircraft in recent months. (Supplied: US Department of War)In short:Australia should consider acquiring a fleet of next-generation B-21 stealth bombers from the United States as an AUKUS stopgap, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson says. Senator Paterson used an address at the National Press Club to say the idea was worth considering, but it was not Coalition policy. What's next?The Coalition has reiterated its call for the government to significantly lift defence spending. abc.net.au/news/james-paterson-coalition-says-stealth-bombers-aukus-stop-gap/106615556Link copiedShareShare articleShadow Defence Minister James Paterson has suggested Australia should consider acquiring next-generation B-21 stealth bombers from the United States to help bridge the gap until the AUKUS submarines arrive.Senator Paterson said the bombers, which were in testing with the United States Air Force, would deliver a similar long-range strike capability while Australia waited for Virginia-class nuclear submarines to enter service.Australia has not operated a bomber since the F-111 was retired in 2010, and the 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommended against Australia considering the B-21 Raider.The B-21 is estimated to cost about $1 billion.The US is in the process of acquiring 100 of the new planes to replace its existing B-2 bombers.James Paterson's speech was his reply to one given by counterpart Richard Marles earlier this month. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)In a speech to the National Press Club, Senator Paterson said he was not committing the Coalition to acquiring the planes or demanding the government do so, but said it was worth considering."Only the government can know whether the [Royal Australian Air Force] is well-placed to acquire these planes and put them into service," he said."Perhaps there are good reasons why a B-21 does not work for Australia."If that is the case, I hope the government is very closely examining other similar options which could fill this serious potential capability gap."Because I do not want Australia to enter the moment of maximum peril in the late 2020s and early 2030s without this critical deterrent capability."US Congress could send B-21 bombers to AustraliaAmerica's next-generation B-21 bomber could be sent to Australia to "accelerate" national security under a Congressional proposal put to the US Defence Secretary.Some in US policy circles have previously suggested offering Australia the B-21 bomber to lift Australia's military capability while it awaits nuclear submarines.Senator Paterson used the speech to mount a defence of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement, arguing that while it would be challenging, there were no realistic submarine alternatives for Australia to pursue.But he said Iran's actions in closing the Strait of Hormuz to shipping had highlighted the vulnerabilities Australia faced in key shipping routes within the Indo-Pacific, and the need for deterrence."Our primary security threat is not an invasion of our homeland. It is coercion leveraging our supply chain vulnerabilities," he said."If we think closure of the Hormuz has been uncomfortable, just imagine a scenario where the Straits of Malacca are."Australia must have the ability to deter coercion like…

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